Device for collecting analogue measurement signals for the acoustic diagnosis of test pieces

ABSTRACT

Analog test signals may be picked up from the test object with vibration sensors. A computer is equipped with a standard interface card which is connected by an interface, preferably parallel interface, and serves to digitize the test signals. A switching means serves to generate a trigger signal which can be input over a preferably serial interface. An executive routine in the computer switches the input of test signals on and off via the trigger signal.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

For acquisition of especially large quantities of test signals whosemeaning content goes beyond traditional physical quantities such ascurrent, voltage and temperature, it has been customary in the past touse complex and specially assembled measurement arrangements. This isthe case in particular when the test signals picked up by an industrialroutine or an industrial device must be reprocessed, compiled andanalyzed according to special strategies.

Such a case also occurs in acoustic diagnosis of test objects. Inparticular in the manufacture of machines and equipment having moving orrotating subcomponents, it is customary to perform routine acoustictesting or diagnosis in a test field. Such machines and equipment mayinclude motors, generators, turbines or even vacuum cleaners, fans andmany other items. Microphone-like vibration or acceleration sensors, forexample, are mounted at one or more selected points on a test object,e.g., in the area of bearings, drives or shafts. A number of technicalconclusions can be drawn from the acoustic and mechanical vibrationspicked up and the structure-borne noise. For example, it is possible todetermine the manufacturing quality of a test object or simulate actualvalues characterizing the condition of the production facilities used.Furthermore, it is possible to observe the manufacturing tolerances ofknown influencing quantities, wear-related phenomena and much more.

In acoustic testing and diagnosis of technical objects, it is alsocommon to use powerful special hardware components to tie the testsignal sensors to computerized devices that perform the analysis of themeasured values.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention, is to provide an acquisition devicefor analog test signals which occur in the acoustic diagnosis oftechnical test objects, without requiring any special instrumentation ifpossible.

The present invention has the advantage that standard components can beused for test signal acquisition. This is achieved in particular withthe device according to the present invention by the fact that theindividual interface areas available are used in a controlled manner forimplementation of technical subfunctions in test signal acquisition aspart of the acoustic diagnosis with a standard device, e.g., onereferred to informally as a personal computer. Thus, first standardexternal interfaces, preferably standard parallel interfaces of thecomputer are used, also fitted with standard interface cards, todigitize the analog test signals from vibration and acceleration sensorsand enter them into the computer.

The object of controlling the test signal pick-up, i.e., in particularprogram-controlled switching of the test signal acquisition on and off,and preferably the control of optionally additional time-coordinatedautomatic handling operations with the respective test object and in itsenvironment, is achieved by using second standard external interfaces ofthe standard computer. This is preferably standard serial interfaces ofthe standard computer. The usual interface provided for connecting aprinter is especially suitable for this purpose. However, the interfaceusually provided for connecting an input device known conventionally asa mouse or a game port may also be used for this purpose. Triggersignals generated by at least one external switching means are enteredinto the computer via this interface, specifying the beginning and endof test signal acquisition. However, such trigger signals may also beoutput over the interface from the second area, for example, to controlautomatic manipulators acting on the test objects or automatic conveyordevices in a time-coordinated operation.

The use of the areas of external interfaces present in a standardcomputer for digitizing the test signals and for separate exchange ofcontrolling trigger signals as proposed according to the presentinvention makes it possible to use standard computer hardware and inparticular standard interface cards for analog-digital conversion of theanalog test signals supplied by the vibration and acceleration sensors.It has surprisingly been found that interface cards can be used in afirst area on an external interface designed for digital processing ofvibrations of the respective test object approximately in the audiblefrequency range. Such interface cards may be standard hardware modulesknown as sound cards which are generally used for acoustic reproductionof digital speech and music information stored in the memory of thecomputer, i.e., for digital-analog conversion of corresponding digitalfiles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The FIGURE shows a block diagram of an acquisition device for analogtest signals in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figure show s a standard computer 1 in the form of a schematicwiring diagram. Of the usual components of such a computer, onlyprocessor 2, a memory 3 and data bus 4 located on a motherboard ofcomputer 1 are shown. An executive routine 8 run by processor 2,controlling time-coordinated processing of the analog test signalsobtained in acoustic analysis of a test object, is represented by a boxshown with dashed lines in the block of processor 2.

Data bus 4 is connected by an internal interface 5 to processor 2 whichthus receives data from data bus 4 or feeds data into it. On the otherhand, the data bus branches off to interface areas. Computer 1 accordingto the present invention has at least one first area 6 and one secondarea 7 with external interfaces of data bus 4. In a separate interfacearea 9, which is preferably formed by a housing of the computer (notshown in the figure), outgoing lines and interface cards can be attachedto the external interfaces of the data bus.

According to the present invention, at least one standard interface card10 is connected in first area 6 to data bus 4 over an externalinterface. This has the function of digitizing analog test signalssupplied by vibration and acceleration sensors and entering them atleast into computer 1. The example in the figure shows a motor 19 whichserves as a test object on which an acoustic diagnosis is to beperformed. For example, vibration and acceleration sensors 13, 14 whichgenerate analog test signals 11, 12 are mounted on the test object.These signals are in particular a measure of vibration andstructure-borne noise occurring at selected points, especially on thesurface of the motorized test object. Test signals 11, 12 are sent to aninterface card 10 which is connected to data bus 4, preferably at aparallel external interface in area 6. Test signals 11, 12 are thenconverted to digitized form by an executive routine 8 run by processor 2and are deposited in a connected memory 3.

The acquisition device according to the present invention also has atleast one external switching means for generating a binary triggersignal which can be fed onto data bus 4 over an external interface insecond area 7. In the example shown in the figure, a key 21 serves asthe switching means. Trigger signal 16 triggered by this means is fedonto data bus 4 of computer 1 from second area 7 via an externalinterface. Input of digitized test signals 11, 12 into computer 1 can beturned on and off via the analysis of the instantaneous status of binarytrigger signal 16 by executive routine 8 in computer 1. In the simplestcase, the trigger signal can be activated or deactivated by manualoperation of key 21.

One advantage of the present invention is that analog measured valuespicked up on the test object by vibration and acceleration sensors aredigitized and input via interface cards connected to a first area ofexternal interfaces, while acquisition of trigger signals that controlan acoustic diagnostic procedure takes place at a second area ofexternal interfaces of the computer. Only by t his functional divisionis it possible to acquire, for example, electric test signalsrepresenting acoustic vibrations on a test object with traditionalinterface cards 10 at the external interfaces of a traditional computer1.

It is especially advantageous if the external interfaces in first area 6are standard parallel interfaces of computer 1, and the externalinterfaces in second area 7 are standard serial interfaces of computer1. This embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to use aconventional computer for test signal acquisition. It is alsoadvantageous if the minimum of one external interface in second area 7,where the minimum of one external switching means 21 is connected forgenerating a binary trigger signal 16, corresponds to a standardinterface, which is typically used to connect a printer to standardcomputer 1. Then with the help of the executive routine, functionsneeded as part of control of test signal acquisition for acousticdiagnosis are assigned to the signals at the interface, which usuallyrepresent functions for controlling printing, e.g., control signals thatturn the printer on and off, cause a new page to be fed or signal apaper jam, for example. This will be explained in greater detail below.Thus, the bundle of trigger signal lines provided with reference number16 in the figure is for externally generated signals that influence theexecution of executive routine 8 in processor 2. On the other hand,trigger signals can also be triggered by executive routine 8 anddelivered outward over an external interface, preferably serialinterface 7.

The test signal acquisition device shown in the example in the figureadvantageously also contains an automatic manipulator 1, e.g., anindustrial robot. With this manipulator, vibration and accelerationsensors 13, 14 can be placed on a test object 19, 20 and removed againin a completely automatic operation, controlled in particular byexecutive routine 8 in computer 1. The start and stop of such actions,i.e., the readiness or non-readiness of test object 19 for testing, canbe signaled to executive routine 8 in computer 1 by a correspondingbinary trigger signal 16 which is input over a separate control 18 ofmanipulator 15, a separate interface 17 on this control 18 and aninterface in second area 7. Thus, this permits a time-coordinatedcontrol of automatic manipulator 15 by executive routine 8 in computer 1with the help of binary trigger signals 16, which are output from secondarea 7 over an interface or input through it.

The example of a test signal acquisition device shown in the figure alsocontains an automatic conveyor device 22 for supplying test objects toautomatic manipulator 1 in a program-controlled routine. Test objects 19and 20 are shown as examples. As already described above, test object 19is being subjected to an acoustic diagnosis, while test object 20 isready for such a diagnosis to be performed. Here again, a fullyautomatic, time-coordinated control of automatic conveyor device 22 byexecutive routine 8 in computer 1 can be accomplished with the help ofbinary trigger signals 16 which are at least output from second area 7over an interface. It is also possible, for example, for a correspondingtrigger signal 16 to signal to executive routine 8 that a desiredposition of conveyor device 22 has been reached.

In the example shown in the figure, the readiness of test object 19 fortesting can be signaled to executive routine 8 from second area 7 by atrigger signal 16 generated by manipulator 1 over a preferably serialinterface. The executive routine then causes the start of the recordingof analog test signals 11, 12 by interface card 10 at the externalinterface of second area 6. The test signals can be processed further byprocessor 2 and deposited in a memory 3, for example. The acquisition oftest signals can be stopped by a corresponding command directed byexecutive routine 8 at interface card 10 and transmitted there by databus 4. At the same time, a corresponding trigger signal 16 is generatedby executive routine 8 and conveyed over an interface from second area 7to manipulator 15 and the conveyor device. Manipulator 15 thenautomatically removes vibration and acceleration sensors 13, 14 fromtest object 19, conveyor device 22 conveys test object 20 into acorresponding test position, and manipulator 15 then applies vibrationand acceleration sensors 13, 14 to the proper locations on test object20. The sequence of these technical actions can be controlled completelyby executive routine 8 via trigger signals 16.

In testing a second test object 20, there is the possibility thatacoustic test signals which are picked up from one or more precedingtest objects and deposited in memory 3, for example, may be output overdata bus 4 and interface card 10 to a playback device, e.g., aloudspeaker 25 connected by line 24 to interface card 10. The operatingpersonnel can thus compare an acoustic setpoint noise level output overloudspeaker 25, for example, with the actual noise level delivered bythe present test object. Thus, initial tests are already possible aspart of the acoustic diagnosis of a test object.

The present invention has the advantage that an acoustic diagnostic teststand 21, which is shown as an example in the figure and can be equippedwith an automatic manipulator 15 at least for positioning the testsignal pickups and with an automatic conveyor device for positioning thetest objects, can be controlled in a fully automatic manner withoutrequiring the use of special hardware components. Instead, conventionalstandard components, such as personal computers and sound cards can beused as computer 1 and interface cards 10 for digitizing and analogreconversion of the analog test signals.

We claim:
 1. A device for acquisition of analog test signals foracoustic diagnosis of a test object, comprising: a. at least one sensorsensing analog test signals from the test object, the at least onesensor including at least one of a vibration sensor and a accelerationsensor; b. a standard computer having at least a first and second areawith external interfaces to a data bus of the computer; c. at least onestandard interface card coupled to the data bus in the first area overat least one of the external interfaces in the first area, the at leastone standard interface card digitizing the analog test signals from theat least one sensor and inputting the digitized test signals into thecomputer; d. at least one switch generating a binary trigger signal, thebinary trigger signal being input onto the data bus in the second areaover at least one of the external interfaces; and e. an executiveroutine in the computer, the executive routine turning on and off theinput of digitized test signals after analysis of an instantaneousstatus of the binary trigger signal.
 2. The device according to claim 1,wherein the external interfaces in the first area include at least onestandard parallel interface of the computer.
 3. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the external interfaces in the second area include atleast one standard serial interface of the computer.
 4. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the externalinterfaces in the second area to which the at least one switch iscoupled includes a standard printer interface.
 5. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the at least one standard interface card digitizesanalog test signals from the at least one sensor which correspondapproximately to vibrations of the test object in an audible frequencyrange.
 6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: anautomatic manipulator placing the at least one sensor on the test objectand removing the at least one sensor from the test object in aprogram-controlled operation, a readiness of the test object for testingbeing signaled to the executive routine by the binary trigger signalinput into the second area over the at least one of the externalinterfaces.
 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein binary triggersignals are output from the second area over an interface, atime-coordinated control of the automatic manipulator by the executiveroutine being performed as a function of the output binary triggersignals.
 8. The device according to claim 6, further comprising: anautomatic conveyor device conveying the test object in aprogram-controlled operation to the automatic manipulator.
 9. The deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein a time-coordinated control of theautomatic conveyor device by the executive routine is triggered by theoutput binary trigger signals.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein areadiness of the test object for testing is signaled to the executiveroutine by the binary trigger signal and wherein an automaticmanipulator places the at least one sensor on the test object to readythe test object for testing prior to the binary trigger signal beinggenerated.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein a binary trigger signalis output from the second area over an interface, with atime-coordinated control of the automatic manipulator being performed bythe executive routine as a function of the output binary trigger signal.12. The device of claim 11, wherein the automatic manipulator removes atleast one sensor from a test object in a program controlled operation.13. The device of claim 10, wherein a conveyer conveys the test objectto the automatic manipulator in a program controlled operation.
 14. Thedevice of claim 13, wherein the binary trigger signals to the executiveroutine that a desired position of the conveyer has been reached.
 15. Adevice for acoustic diagnosis of a test object, comprising: a computer,having at least a first and second area with external interfaces to adata bus of the computer; at least one standard interface card coupledto the data bus in the first area over at least one of the externalinterfaces in the first area, the at least one standard interface cardbeing adapted to digitize analog test signals of a test object from atleast one of a vibration and acceleration sensor, and being adapted toinput the digitized test signals into the computer, wherein a binarytrigger signal is adapted to be input onto the data bus in the secondarea over at least one of the external interfaces and wherein anexecutive routine in the computer is adapted to coordinate the input ofdigitized test signals based upon an analysis of a status of the binarytrigger signal.
 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein theexternal interfaces in the first area include at least one standardparallel interface of the computer.
 17. The device according to claim16, wherein the external interfaces in the second area include at leastone standard serial interface of the computer.
 18. The device accordingto claim 15, wherein the at least one of the external interfaces in thesecond area is coupled to a standard printer interface, for generatingthe binary trigger signal.
 19. The device according to claim 15, whereinthe at least one standard interface card is adapted to digitize analogtest signals from the at least one sensor which correspond approximatelyto vibrations of the test object in an audible frequency range.
 20. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein a readiness of the test object for testingis signaled to the executive routine by the binary trigger signal andwherein an automatic manipulator places the at least one sensor on thetest object to ready the test object for testing prior to the binarytrigger signal being generated.
 21. The device of claim 20, wherein abinary trigger signal is output from the second area over an interface,with a time-coordinated control of the automatic manipulator beingperformed by the executive routine as a function of the output binarytrigger signal.
 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the automaticmanipulator removes at least one sensor from a test object in a programcontrolled operation.
 23. The device of claim 20, wherein a conveyerconveys the test object to the automatic manipulator in a programcontrolled operation.
 24. The device of claim 23, wherein the binarytrigger signals to the executive routine that a desired position of theconveyer has been reached.